Artificial grass - help!

[PennyPinkPineapple]

We've got artificial grass in our garden, about 11m2 of it. I don't like it but DH says it's more suitable than real grass as we have a dog.

I've just read a thread about how bad for the environment it is and seen other discussions about no mow May, wildlife in gardens etc and I've decided I want it GONE, like now!

DH has finally agreed we can get rid of it but 1) not until winter because you can't lay turf or grass seed in summer - no idea if this is true, and 2) we have to pay a professional to do it because it's hard work - again, no idea if this is true.

Whilst this discussion was taking place I got another waft of hot dog wee and said enough is enough, I'm doing it today. This has turned into an argument and I've been told I'm being reckless and impatient 🙄and the garden will be ruined by sun down.

Before I embarrass myself by starting something haven't got the strength or ability to finish, can anyone tell me if I can do this? I was just going to rip the AG up, take it to the dump and go and get some turf and unroll it and cut it into shape with probably a knife from the kitchen?

Looks like a great job. It will be fine. The soil level will settle down to the right level in a few weeks Tim. But seriously- you need to water it daily for it to establish at this time of year. Do it in the evening so it doesn't just evaporate off

Reading this with interest! Please keep us updated on how it goes. I am tempted to attempt DIY now!!

We moved into a new house at the end of last year and there is a big expanse of Astroturf. I wanted it straight up but got some advice and decided to wait. Underneath is a layer of sand, then grit, then some sort of membrane. We’d basically need to excavate all of that, get a massive amount of topsoil to get the required depth for planting and find out how to dispose of the plastic grass! Also it’s an area that’s in sun all day so no go until winter… and we’re in an area with lots of natural springs so the lawn has the potential to be a mud bath if we don’t do it properly. I hate it and can’t wait to get it gone, but finances are going elsewhere at the moment. There’s no planting beds but I’ve put in lots of pots and we’re getting bees now. So that’s something

Do this.

I'd get a cheap sprinkler and hose.

Well done for doing this! Better for the planet and your families health- plastic grass releases micro plastics which can get into lungs and ever bloodstream, which is almost certainly carcinogenic.

This shit should be banned.

Ripping out plastic grass is hopefully the next big garden trend

As that area isn't massive even if you get a hosepipe ban you can probably keep it ticking over with watering cans and bowls of used washing up water.

Underneath is a layer of sand, then grit, then some sort of membrane. We’d basically need to excavate all of that

You may not need to entirely remove it. I believe the membranes are for stopping weeds and may be biodegradable and non harmful for real grass. And as to the sand and grit, some of this may actually be beneficial as you mention it may need decent drainage, I guess it depends on the amounts used. As long as you have around 10cm (as mentioned previously) of topsoil you may get away with leaving some of the sand and grit.

@Lonelycrab i didn’t even think about leaving it, that would potentially make it much easier! I’d only need to dig deeper in areas where I wanted to put in planting beds. I was considering putting down meadow mat rather than turf.

I have good news! Our daughter's nursery has asked us if we have any items we can donate for the rooms and outdoor play area so I offered them the plastic grass and it was a yes! I'd already given it a hoover, so will go and get some disinfectant to wash it with tomorrow 😁

Oh, and... 👋 🌱

IT'S ALIVE!!!!

Only just seen your thread, Op, and love what you did!Well done you 👏👏I hope it encourages others to get rid of the plastic peril, awful stuff.

Great that it's not going to waste Op & fab new growth!

Day 11 update

We've had quite a lot of rain the last couple of days and it's starting to look quite lush in places. There are a few patches that I need to fill in but I'm going to wait another week to see how it gets on.

A close up

Penny you are a bloody legend! 🐦‍⬛🪲

Wow! Wasn’t expecting it to come up that good, so quick. Awesome job.

Fantastic!!!

Beautiful!

Fantastic. Hope your DH has uttered the infamous words 'you were right' 😁

It's been very painful for him, but yes he has 🤣

(Please don't die, please don't die.)

I put loads and loads of wildflower seeds down without reading the packets, then realised it was the wrong month to sow them. It'll be interesting to see what pops up. The microclover is doing well, thanks to whoever suggested that!

Looking great, a definite improvement on the artificial grass.

Wow - wasn't expecting such good results so quickly!

Excellent result- well done!

Well done op but I would say to people be cautious before just ripping this stuff up. You need to explore what is underneath. My garden has asto turf and there is sand and hardcore. A lot of it. We created a flower bed 10m by 1 m and removed 6-8 tonnes of hardcore. So what hasn't taken op very long could be a huge job for someone else. And very expensive with disposal of the hardcore and buying in tonnes of top soil.

Ooh well done. Looks so much better. Eventually you might end up with a lovely mini meadow there with lots of wildflowers.

artificial grass is horrible